IT has the possibility of causing a transformation in relationships between enterprises. Therefore, enterprises need to appropriately respond to the progress of IT in the companies with which they have business relationships. In addition, for enterprises that sell products, etc. directly to users, utilization of IT is critical for reinforcement of sales power, and in particular, inevitable for response to global and open markets. Further, because IT-based systematization in national life has been progressing, in order to grasp the changing needs of consumers and quickly respond to them, utilization of IT is necessary for enterprises. In such circumstances, in order to relate IT-based systematization to Japan's economic growth, not only large companies but also SMEs, which account for as much as 99 percent of the number of companies and 70 percent of employment, must advance systematization based on IT. Accordingly, the "Action Program for Innovation and Creation of Economic Structure (the 3rd follow-up)" which was decided in the Cabinet on December 1, 2000, and the "e-Japan Priority Policy Program" adopted on March 29, 2001, have decided that necessary measures shall be taken comprehensively so that about half the SMEs will be able to participate in electronic commerce, through the Internet by the end of FY2003. Through the achievement of this goal, the State also aims at development of IT-based systematization where SMEs have networks inside and outside the company using the Internet, etc. to advance their business. (1) Support for IT-based Systematization in SMEsa)Improvement in awareness of IT use and development of human resources
To advance IT use in SMEs, executives themselves should understand well the effects and issues of IT. Therefore, the State provides executives of SMEs with IT seminars and practical training programs concerning IT use according to business types and categories as well as development levels, and develops human resources who can give advice considering the actual status of SMEs.
- Implementation of seminars and training programs
The State implements seminars and training programs for 1.5 million people so that about half the SMEs will be able to participate in electronic commerce, through the Internet by the end of FY2003.
-- Hold IT seminars, etc. (Target: 100,000 people for FY2001)
Prefectural SME Support Centers hold seminars for education and dissemination of IT for executives of local SMEs using IT coordinators, small and medium enterprise management consultants, etc. -- Hold IT forums
The State holds IT forums to introduce SMEs that have succeeded in business innovation using IT, IT-applied new products and technologies, specific know-how for IT use, etc. -- Implement practical IT training programs (Target: 30,000 people for FY2001)
Prefectural SME Support Centers implement practical IT training programs for executives of SMEs to introduce IT-applied cases, how to be able to participate in electronic commerce, through the Internet, and other matters. -- Training programs on satellite broadcasting and the web at the Institute for Small Business Management and Technology
JASMEC implements effective training programs for as many people as possible including SMEs in remote places, using satellite broadcasting and the Internet. -- PC training programs by Commerce and Industry Associations, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the National Federation of Small Business Associations, etc. (Target: 200,000 people for FY2001)
Commerce and Industry Associations, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the National Federation of Small Business Associations, etc., using their equipment such as PCs, implement practical IT use training programs that contribute to management including website construction and e-commerce for SMEs and small-scale enterprises. - Development of IT coordinators (10,000 IT coordinators by the end of FY2005)
Personnel who can provide accurate advice on IT-applied business innovation, advancement, and improvement are required. The IT Coordinators Association aims to develop IT coordinators who can meet such requirements. b)Advice and consultation concerning IT-based systematization
Promotion of IT-based systematization in SMEs requires technical knowledge and appropriate advice considering business innovation. Therefore, the State supports SMEs that receive advice and consultation concerning IT-based systematization by paying part of their consultation expenses.
- Adviser dispatch project
JASMEC registers experts on IT introduction such as IT coordinators, and dispatches them in response to requests from SMEs that aim to promote IT introduction. - Expert dispatch project
Prefectural SME Support Centers dispatch experts on IT and business innovation to SMEs. - Project to activate investment for strategic informatization (ITSSP : IT Solution Square Project)
The State aggressively promotes consulting activities through continuous visits to companies using IT coordinators and exchange meetings for executives, and aims to improve the environments where SMEs are able to actively use such experts. c)Support for introduction of IT systems
The State supports SMEs in their introduction of IT systems through IT loans by governmental financial institutions. In addition, Commerce and Industry Associations, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the National Federation of Small Business Associations, etc. provide IT introduction support services including follow-up services.
- IT loan system
Governmental financial institutions (Small Business Finance Corporation, National Life Finance Corporation, and Shoko Chukin Bank) extend loans to facilitate the supply of the funds for facilities, land, buildings, and operation necessary for investment in informatization. Special interest rates are applied to informatization investment plans that are drafted after examination and advice by experts such as IT coordinators, who are dispatched from Prefectural SME Support Centers.
- Strategic lease project
For SMEs to promote strategic informatization such as the introduction of POS system to respond to the IT revolution, the State implements projects where designated lease companies lease equipment, etc. for strategic informatization to SMEs at low lease rates.
- Support on tax systems
The statutory useful life of computers has been shortened and the SME investment promotion taxation, which allows tax deductions of 7 percent of the acquisition cost or special depreciation of 30 percent for specific equipment and appliances (PCs, digital copy machines, etc.) at the price of not less than one million yen, is extended to the end of FY2001. |
